FreeBSD 15.1 Released with Bug Fixes and Improved Hardware Support
FreeBSD 15.1 has been released, incorporating numerous bug fixes and enhancing hardware support, particularly for laptops. While direct GUI installation remains absent, improvements include better suspend/resume functionality and support for Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 standards through updated drivers. The release aims to bolster stability and expand compatibility for users.
Key points
- FreeBSD 15.1 is now available, featuring bug fixes and hardware improvements after a slight delay.
- Laptop support has advanced, with functional suspend/resume and lid-close/open actions.
- Wireless networking sees upgrades with improved Intel and Realtek drivers, enabling Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 support.
- Users still need to manually configure a graphical user interface post-installation.
- The release notes detail specific fixes and new features, with a known issue in the NFS client.
The FreeBSD Project has officially released version 15.1 of its open-source operating system. This latest iteration introduces a range of bug fixes and notable hardware support enhancements, following a minor delay attributed to a microcode-related boot issue.
Significant progress has been made in laptop support. Users can now expect reliable suspend and resume functionality, along with the ability for the system to automatically sleep when a laptop lid is closed and wake upon opening. While more advanced sleep states like hibernation and S0ix modes are still under development, these improvements represent a step forward for mobile computing on FreeBSD. Furthermore, wireless networking capabilities have been bolstered with updated drivers for Intel's iwlwifi and Realtek's rtw88 and rtw89 chipsets, based on Linux 7.0 drivers. This brings support for Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standards.
Despite these advancements, FreeBSD 15.1 does not yet offer an integrated graphical installer. Users seeking a desktop environment will need to manually install and configure their preferred GUI after the base system is set up. The project highlights that desktop use remains a secondary focus, though efforts are ongoing via the Laptop Support and Usability Project. Detailed information on all changes, fixes, and a known issue with the NFS client can be found in the official release notes and errata.
Sources
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